TDCJ employees give record amount through 2006 SECC fundraisers

Once again, TDCJ employees have risen to the challenge and surpassed projected goals by giving to their preferred charity through the State Employee Charitable Campaign, commonly known as the SECC. Employees contributed nearly $640,000 to hundreds of charities across Texas and the nation in 2006, surpassing the previous year’s contributions by over $150,000. The number of agency employees participating in the payroll deduction option rose to approximately 5,000, with thousands of others giving through cash donations. The year 2006 had the highest recorded donations by TDCJ employees since the inception of the SECC 13 years ago and reflects the increasing awareness among employees that their donations make a difference.

TDCJ’s support of the SECC has evolved to include hundreds of employees who participate in Local Employee Committees, which oversee the campaign in their areas as well as unit and department coordinators. These individuals provide the momentum to make the SECC successful. The committees ensure that all local participating charities meet the guidelines established by the state and that each employee has confidence that each donation is given to the charity by the donor. Coordinators attend SECC training that enables them to answer questions employees might have about the SECC and to assist with the payroll deduction form.

Each year, the interest and enthusiasm is apparent as the units and departments begin their campaigns by scheduling training for their respective areas and planning fund-raising events, such as bake sales, barbecues, and golf tournaments. Throughout the busy months of September and October, which are designated for the SECC activities, Local Employee Committee members and unit and department coordinators also fulfill their SECC responsibilities in addition to their regular duties.

The SECC provides a secure and affordable way for employees to make a difference, not only locally, but on a statewide and national level as well. A donation of $2 per month through the payroll deduction option or supporting department or unit fund-raising efforts aids in meeting the needs of thousands of people in Texas communities. Sincere thanks goes out to all employees who gave their money, time and talents, to make the 2006 SECC a tremendous success and who exemplify by action the phrase, “Texans helping Texans.”

Chris Bell and Teresa Moya, senior wardens at the Smith Unit in Lamesa and the Woodman State Jail in Gatesville, were recently recognized as the Correctional Institutional Division’s top wardens of the year.

CID Director Nathaniel Quarterman announced their selections during the regular meeting of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice in Huntsville in late October.

Moya holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Tarleton State University. She started her career in 1981 as a correctional officer and rose to the rank of personnel lieutenant at the Clemens Unit near Angleton. She then moved to Records and Classification, where she eventually served as chief of classification at units in Gatesville, Marlin, Abilene and Sugar Land. In 1999, Moya was promoted to assistant warden at the Murray Unit in Gatesville and has served as senior warden at Woodman since 2005.

Bell holds a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and police science from Sam Houston State University. He began his TDCJ career in 1980 as a correctional officer at the Ferguson Unit in Midway. He was promoted to captain at the Wynne Unit in Huntsville in 1984 and then to the rank of major at the Lewis Unit in Woodville in 1990. Prior to his promotion to senior warden at the Tulia Unit in 2000, Bell served as an assistant warden at the Robertson and Hughes units. He was promoted to senior warden at the Smith Unit in 2005. He recently moved to the Wynne Unit in Huntsville as senior warden.